The comments were more interesting than the article, particularly those that discussed standards or lack thereof for radiologists. Also, there was an interesting comment on the workload of the doctor in question.

Don't know how easy it is for a foreign-trained doctor to gain accreditation, but a veterinarian has a tough slog. Credentials excamined and approved, language skills assessed, NAVLE part 1 to sit (this is the same computer exam as Canadian-trained vets sit in their final year, but it is only offered at certain times and in certain places), and finally a four day clinical proficiency exam at one of the vet colleges (for which there is about a two-year wait). And each step costs big bucks. They're going to make sure your pets are protected!!

Aside from the obvious query about the equivalency of foreign training to Canadian training, there are other issues. Good language skills are essential; I'm not the only one who has been baffled by the accents of hospital personnel (and I'm talking doctors here). But we forget the importance of culture, particularly with respect to risk assessment. Canadians are generally risk-adverse; foreigners not so. An Australian friend who does ESL assessments on foreign professionals tipped my off to this one. At the very least, there's a disconnect between what the Canadian patient assumes will happen and what the foreign doctor does. In the worst case, a person finds himself (or a family member) subject to risky procedures to which there would not have been consent if the true chance of success had been made clear. Too often, tragedy ensues and the doctor is castigated for poor skills when the real culprit is a fundamental misunderstanding of the risks involved and the chance of a happy outcome.

*the question here perhaps should be... what is the equivalency protocol for foreign doctors?

do we accept credentials from some countries and not others?

in this particular case, do south african trained doctors undergo any requalification process here?

"Most of the tests were done at Yorkton Regional Health Centre over the last five years, but a small number done in Prince Albert and Swift Current will also be reviewed. Tsatsi has worked in all three cities since moving to Saskatchewan from South Africa."

yeah, yeah, i know... if you criticise south africa, you're a racist... but did anybody tell that to the ndp's stephen lewis?

Radiology is one of the most demanding specialties in medicine, and one of the most heavily regulated, both by government agencies and by the professional bodies that accredit the radiologist. The path to becoming a radiologist is long, and arduous, as each radiological procedure, with the exception of ultrasound is theoretically lethal.

To become a radiologist, the candidate must first attain an MD, then go through the standard internship that all MD's go through to get their licence to practice medicine. Afterwards, the radiologist candidate must serve as a resident, under the guidance of board certified radiologists for 3 years. During this time he is not able to submit his or her own independent opinions. All their reports must be signed by a reviewing certified radiologist. The candidate/resident is then eligible to write the appropriate exams, and undergo the interviews before the College of Physicians and Surgeons will certify the resident as a radiologist.

At this point in time, the new radiologist will likely be employed by a hospital or imaging clinic as a junior member, and still be subject to close supervision. All in all, it is going to take the rad almost a decade before he or she is able to stand independently as a practitioner. Once certified, they have to continue to take courses and meet certification requirements due to changes in practices, procedures, and technology.

Intellectually, it is one of the most demanding of careers, and it is hard to become a rad. If the College is now reviewing this fellows entire history of 70,000 procedures performed, it is a VERY serious issue. It may wind up with censure, revocation of licences and certifications, and also fines, not to mention civil action by patients.